Price, Maddon impressed with Moore's All-Star outing

ST. PETERSBURG -- Starter Matt Moore was one of four players absent from the Rays' optional workout at Tropicana Field on Thursday.

He did get some work, although not much, in New York for his first All-Star Game. Moore threw the fifth inning for the American League, retiring Carlos Gonzalez, Yadier Molina and Troy Tulowitzki on nine pitches.

"That's another check mark on the list of tremendous accomplishments, and I think when he comes back here to play, he will have more calmness and confidence about him," manager Joe Maddon said. "It benefits him and us."

Moore's locker-neighbor, David Price, cheered him on from home.

"You want him to put up a zero, but to have him look as comfortable and as confident as he did was great," Price said. "He did a tremendous job."

Sam Strong is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.